SHILLONG, MAR 25: Meghalaya health minister AL Hek informed the assembly on the last day of the budget session that treatment of cancer patients at the Shillong Civil Hospital has increased by over 800 percent since 2006.
Hek said 531 patients received treatment at the Civil hospital last year as compared to only 66 in 2006.
The total (cumulative) patients receiving treatment from 2006 at Shillong Civil Hospital are 2884 till date, the Minister said while replying to a call attention motion moved by United Democratic Party legislator Paul Lyngdoh.
On the reported ‘unusable’ state of cancer tools lying at the Hospital, Hek said the Cobalt machine (Theratron 780E) is still functioning and the electrometer is provided by the Guwahati-based North East Cancer Hospital and Research Institute.
Hek assured that steps are being taken to purchase a new electrometer even as the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) had earlier advised not to conduct radio-therapy to new patients as the survey meter was not functioning.
The government has also procured a new survey meter and the same was sent to the AERB for calibration and a certificate is awaited, he said.
“We are expecting the permission from AERB which is expected in the next 2 – 3 days after which new patients will be admitted,” the minister said.
Hek also said that a Radiological Safety Officer has also been notified and is in place.- By Our Reporter
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